"God gives us two kidney's, so we can give one away." Best-selling author, Amy Clipston and her husband, Joe believed this statement to be true. Amy writes about her kidney donation in "The Gift of Love: One Woman's Journey to Save a Life." The Cliptson family went through something extraordinary, only one that the divine healer could write a prescription for, a miracle.
In 2003, Joe began dialysis when he found out his numbers were not good. During this time, Amy was pregnant with her second child and with much anticipation, she could not wait to give Zachary a sibling. However, in the middle of the night she miscarried. If these trials were not enough, the Cliptons had a long road ahead. In 2004, Joe underwent a kidney transplant from his brother, Jason who was found to be a match. A year later, Joe and Amy had a beautiful boy named Matthew. The Cliptson's thought their medical journey was over, but they soon found out four years later, the nightmare was not over.
Joe required another kidney transplant, but this time no matches were found. Amy was devastated when she was not a match and soon this began the road of dialysis and marriage turmoil. Through this entire season, God was preparing both Amy and Joe for his plan. Amy landed a publishing deal with Zondervan, which led her to the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series and Joe was going to get another kidney, which is extremely rare, something only God could orchestrate. Amy needed to give one of her kidneys, so Joe could receive a kidney. Nyeisha received Amy's kidney, which saved her life and Nyeshia's husband, Eric, saved Joe's life. In simpler terms, she saved the wife of her husband's donor. I had never heard of this kind of exchange before with a kidney transplant, but I guess this can and does happen.
The story doesn't end here with a transplant, but the Clipston's show what it means to go through seasons of loss, pain, faith, and believing that hope prevails when it appears as though everything is lost. Their marriage and family show what happens when you hit rock bottom during difficult storms. If you look to God, he will pick you up, despite adversity or even when it seems impossible. If you're looking for an inspirational read, or maybe you're in a difficult storm yourself, I recommend picking up "The Gift of Love: One Woman's Journey to Save a Life." You'll laugh and cry with the Cliptson's, as you find parts of your own journey scattered throughout their story. This book is a beautiful reminder that no matter how hard life gets, you always fight and never give up.
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